Perinatal Depression is an umbrella term used to describe symptoms of depression and anxiety that can occur at any time during a pregnancy and within the first year of birth.
It describes feeling low or worried at a level that is causing significant distress, or impairing your ability to do the things you need to do.
There are many physical, biological and hormonal changes that can make women more likely to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety at this time. Or, it may be a combination of factors such as a history of depression or anxiety, difficult or prolonged labour, stressful life circumstances or an unplanned pregnancy, a lack of support, moving house, having make work adjustments or having an unsettled baby.
